# NTSB LAX05LA039: Schweizer 269C, N45012, Rialto, CA, November 22, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 22, 2004, 15:10 local (23:10 UTC) - Place: Rialto, CA - Coordinates: 34.333332, -117.400001 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3333&lon=-117.4000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Textron Lycoming - NTSB case key (mKey): 60618 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60618/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA039 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm and altitude/clearance during the takeoff initial climb. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - terrain condition - downhill - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The helicopter collided with terrain during a pinnacle departure attempt. After departing, the pilot configured the helicopter into a hover about 3 feet above ground level (agl) and verified that the cockpit gauges were all displaying the appropriate indications. In an attempt to depart the area, he said he "began to trade altitude for airspeed" while maneuvering in a right turn, toward his planned escape route consisting of downsloping terrain. While in the turn, the rotor rpm became low and he manipulated the throttle control for full power, simultaneously lowering the collective. Despite his attempts, the rotor rpm failed to increase and the helicopter continued to descend. In an effort to cushion the impact, he raised the collective just before the skids contacted terrain. The helicopter rolled downhill, coming to rest on its left side. The engine manufacturer performed an engine test run; there were no discrepancies or anomalies that would indicate the engine was not capable of running and producing power prior to the mishap. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 22, 2004, about 1510 Pacific standard time, a Schweizer 269C, N45012, collided with terrain near Rialto, California, while attempting a pinnacle departure. Western Operations, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and one passenger were not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight departed Rialto Municipal Airport about 1500. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that after executing an uneventful pinnacle landing, he maneuvered the helicopter into the takeoff configuration. After departing the ground surface, he configured the helicopter into a hover about 3 feet above ground level (agl) and verified that the cockpit gauges were all displaying the appropriate indications. In an attempt to depart the area, he "began to trade altitude for airspeed" while maneuvering in a right turn, toward his planned escape route consisting of downsloping terrain. While in the turn, the rotor rpm became low and he manipulated the throttle control for full power, simultaneously lowering the collective. The pilot further stated that despite his attempts, the rotor rpm failed to increase and the helicopter continued to descend. In an effort to cushion the impact, he raised the collective just before the skids contacted terrain. The helicopter rolled downhill, coming to rest on its left side. During a conversation with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the passenger stated that the accident flight was his first time in a helicopter. He reported that after departing from the pinnacle, the pilot hovered the helicopter about 3 feet agl, and after checking the cockpit gauges, began an immediate turn to the right; the highest altitude the helicopter reached was about 10 feet agl. As the helicopter approached the downsloping terrain, it decreased in altitude and collided with terrain. He noted that the engine rotations per minute (rpm) remained constant and he could not audibly detect a change in power. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A review of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman records files disclosed that the pilot held commercial helicopter and single engine airplane pilot certificates with an instrument airplane rating. He also held a certified flight instructor certificate in helicopters. He was issued a second-class medical certificate on May 12, 2004, without limitations. The pilot obtained his last biennial flight review on June 30, 2004, in a Schweizer 269C helicopter. According to the pilot's written statement, he had 371.7 hours of total aircraft flight time, of which 229.3 hours were obtained in the same make and model as the accident helicopter and 147.8 of those hours logged as pilot-in-command time. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for Ontario, California, 13 miles away on a bearing of 220 degrees, reported that the temperature was about 54 degrees Fahrenheit with winds from 270 degrees at 3 knots. The pilot reported that the winds at the accident site were negligible, with a temperature of about 62 degrees Fahrenheit. TESTS AND RESEARCH On March 16, 2005, technicians at the facilities of Textron Lycoming, located near Williamsport, Pennsylvania, examined and test ran the engine under the supervision of a Safety Board investigator. Prior to the engine test run, they visually examined the engine, and completed the following actions: removal of the oil filter and installation of a slave oil filter, removal of the oil cooler lines, removal of the starter and installation of a slave starter, and installation of two crankcase nose bolts. Following the visual examination, they mounted the engine to an engine test cell and installed all required test equipment . They ran the engine at various power settings for approximately 30 minutes according to the engine manufacturer's specifications. The manufacturer's report stated that the engine test run found no discrepancies or anomalies, and the engine was capable of producing power. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-21 (page 10-9) states that when making a pinnacle departure, "as the helicopter moves out of ground effect, maintain altitude and accelerate to normal climb airspeed. When normal climb speed is attained, establish a normal climb attitude. Never dive the helicopter down the slope after clearing the pinnacle." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45012](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45012-2005-03-11), registration cancelled 2005-03-11, S/N 900962, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer 269C - Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 900962 - Airframe hours: 7720.6 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Western Operations, Inc. - Registered owner: Western Operations - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 11, 2004, 94.3 hours before - Departed: L67, Rialto, CA - Airport: L67, Rialto Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 46; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 1, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 372 total, 229 in this make and model, 274 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: ONT, 13 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20041122029559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041122029559A), Nov 22, 2004: Hughes 269C, Rialto, CA, Destroyed. (-23) During take-off the pilot encountered a loss of RPM when transitioning from a hover to forward flight causing a forced landing onto a steep hillside.… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.